Still working on this gallery, but cannot help but put up this picture.

1.) I am in LOVE with this wall.  I had to get the name of the paint color and when my dream of having a studio becomes a reality, this will be the color on the walls.

2.)  I’m fairly certain there’s no amount of words that can say what the love between a mother and her brand new baby daughter really is like…but a picture can do a pretty good job of it.

Meet little Sarah.  See her sweet porcelain skin?  I just about died.  Not only does she have the most lovely skin, but also a disposition every newborn photographer dreams of.  She slept like a champ the entire time, nary made a peep, and modeled that sweet flower bonnet and bunny hat like she’d been doing it every day of her 19 days of life.  Thanks Sarah’s mommy, for choosing me to take photos of such a precious little girl during such an ever fleeting time!

*Sigh*  More and more little newborns coming my way lately and I couldn’t be more thrilled.  This little joy is the daughter of a dear friend of mine.  I drove a little further than I normally would to take some photos, but it was well worth it to see a good friend and spend some time capturing some images of this sweet little peanut!

My little guy and I had an afternoon to ourselves a few days before Christmas and per usual he wanted to go outside.  We hit the front yard, made a “set up” (a big brother and daddy term for setting up toys and acting out scenes most often using Star Wars figures), and had some silly fun.  Instead of Star Wars figures we used Disney Pixar Cars.  Can you tell which car is the “Mommy Car”?  I’ll give you a hint.  It’s the one taking pictures.

Taking photos of newborns is always so amazing, but little Leland was extra special.  The light was lovely and he was so easygoing and sweet.  With 2 older brothers, there’s 3 times the love in this family!

I had such a fun time styling this shoot.  Shopping for a vintage tea set, and a great old quilt, finding the perfect flag banner and kites (thanks to my crafty cousin, Jessica!) and finding the perfect little models was a treat. Cupcakes and Tea.  Pinwheels and Kites.  Secrets and Giggles.  Capturing these two sweet and absolutely precious little girls was so much fun!

Many of you that have followed this adventure of mine have seen the many versions of Melanie Dodds Photography branding.  To say I’ve been floundering in finding ME in regards to my branding and logo would be putting it mildly.  As with all art, getting from point A to point B is always an adventure, and it still is every time I pick up my camera.  I’ve grown so much in the past year, and still have so much growing to do.  In the last year and a half I’ve learned some things about what it is that I’m about and what it is that I love.

I love teeny tiny fingernails.  I love whispy little eyelashes.  I love puckered little lips and furrowed little brows.  I love newborns.

I also love silly faces.  Make believe.  Spinning in circles and laughing and dancing.  I love kids.

I love LOVE.  Be it the love between a mother and child, a husband and wife, between a couple just engaged, the love between siblings, and there is even something amazingly special about the love between best friends.

So the question became, how do I encapsulate all of that love in my logo and branding?  How can I make my logo say, “I love whispy newborn eyelashes and laughing and make believe and love?”  After a few failed tries, I wasn’t convinced it was possible.  I hired someone to do a custom logo for me 6 months ago, and that partnership failed miserably, resulting in a refund (thank god!), and large dose of disappointment.  I was afraid I wasn’t doing a very good job of explaining what it was that I was looking for (although to be fair, the designer’s lack of timely response to email—over a week each time–didn’t help matters much!).  I gave up, went with something sweet and whimsical, but definitely not the one that screamed “THIS IS SO YOU MELANIE!”

And then I found Tiffany of On The Spot Studio and completely fell in love with her work.  I knew instantly she was going to be the one that would be able to put ME into a logo.  And she did just that.  I filled out the questionnaire and within a few days she sent me over 5 designs she had come up with just for me….and the very first one?  Me.  I FINALLY had my logo.  What three other designers  had failed at, she nailed on the first try.  I cannot speak highly enough of her.  She’s fabulous to work with, ultra sweet, and funny to boot!  Thank you so much Tiffany, for helping me put out the REAL ME.

At 5 lbs 5 oz Gabriella is the littlest newborn I’ve had the joy of photographing just yet.  Don’t underestimate her due to her small size though.  She is one tough cookie and very particular about her hands and feet!  There’s nothing I love more than a little girl with spunk, and at just a few days old, Gabriella has it!

I am so lucky to get to photograph newborns!  I absolutely adore it!

Meeting newborn baby boy Micah was an absolute joy.  He slept most of our session, only needing one break to hang out with mommy for just a little bit to have a mid morning snack!

IMG_1644-Edit.edit IMG_1628edit IMG_1713edit IMG_1720editwm IMG_1734editwm IMG_1744edit3wm